Continental Airlines has signed a codeshare agreement with Lot Polish Airlines designed to improve services between select destinations in the United States and Europe.

Already both Star Alliance members, the focus on of the deal will be on flights between New York, Warsaw, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and London.

Continental will place its “CO” code on LOT’s trans-Atlantic flights between Continental’s New York hub, Newark Liberty International Airport, and LOT’s Warsaw hub.

Further, LOT-operated flights linking Warsaw with London/Heathrow, Frankfurt and Amsterdam that connect with Continental flights between those airports and New York/Newark will also get the code.

Subject to government approval, Continental will also place its code on LOT-operated flights between Warsaw and Paris/Charles de Gaulle that connect with Continental’s New York/Newark-Paris flights.

Improved Access

“We are pleased to partner with LOT and sign this codeshare agreement, which provides Continental customers improved access to Poland,” said Jim Compton, executive vice president and chief revenue officer of United Continental Holdings.

“It is another significant step in our growing cooperation with fellow Star Alliance members.”

Additionally, LOT is placing its “LO” code on Continental-operated flights between New York/Newark and Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, San Francisco and Washington/Dulles that connect with LOT’s trans-Atlantic flights between Warsaw and New York/Newark.

“It gives me great pleasure to enter into cooperation with Continental Airlines. For many years now, LOT has been active in the American market which, from the perspective of a Polish air carrier, creates tremendous opportunities for growth,” said Maricn Pirog, chairman of the board of LOT Polish Airlines.

“Up until this time, LOT has had direct connections to the North American cities of Chicago, New York, Newark, and Toronto.

“Thanks to the signed agreement with our Star Alliance partner Continental Airlines, it will be possible for LOT passengers to reach other parts of the United States, which will significantly impact the competitiveness of our offer for travellers from both Europe and the United States.”

Source: BTN

©United Continental

United Continental Holdings has unveiled the new United livery on the largest aircraft in the carrier’s fleet – the 374-seat Boeing 747-400.

"With the first 747-400 rebranding completed, the carrier now has at least one of each of its mainline fleet types painted in the new United livery," the company states, which results in one of each of its mainline fleet types painted in the new scheme.

United-Continental has completed painting on 309 mainline and regional aircraft, which accounts for 20% of its total fleet.

Source: Flightglobal

Continental Airlines inaugurated today nonstop flights between its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (PLS). Initially the flights will operate four times a week, on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, converting to daily service on March 6, 2011.

"We are pleased to offer convenient access to Providenciales, a world-class get-away and an exciting new addition to the list of Caribbean destinations served by Continental and United," said Rigoberto Alvarenga, Continental Airlines' Regional Director Caribbean.

The approximately three-and-a-half-hour flight (CO 610) will depart Newark at 9:35 a.m., arriving in Providenciales at 1:10 p.m. The return flight (CO 609) will depart Providenciales at 2:05 p.m., arriving inNewark at 5:45 p.m. Continental will utilize a Boeing 737-800 for the new service with seating for 160 passengers (16 in first class and 144 in economy).

"The Tourist Board is delighted with the new Continental service to the islands from Newark, which is the main airline hub in the northeastern United States," commented Ralph Higgs, director of the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board. "This is a step in the right direction for us, and it reinforces the fact that our continued marketing and promotional efforts are paying off. Turks and Caicos has the airlift, the attractions, the services and amenities and, more importantly, we have the friendliest personalities that will make each visitor feel welcomed and ensure that they will come to visit us again and again. The Tourist Board is excited that this service will present new travel options for potential visitors and investors, and we join our tourism partners in welcoming Continental Airlines."

The new service complements the airline's service to other top Caribbean leisure destinations like Aruba, Punta Cana and Nassau. A popular vacation destination, Providenciales (also called Provo) is the most well known of the Turks and Caicos Islands. While geographically part of the Bahamas chain of islands, Turks and Caicos Islands is a separate country consisting of 40 different islands and cays. Providenciales features the 12-mile white-sand Grace Bay Beach, ranked "Best Beach" by Conde Nast magazine and by the World Travel Awards for several years. Visitors also can enjoy the island's coral reef; water sports such as diving, snorkeling and fishing; golf; a marine park; the world's first conch farm; and luxury hotels, villas and spas. Providenciales' official language is English, and its currency is the U. S. dollar.

About Continental Airlines

Continental Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL). Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 2,600 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 142 domestic and 140 international destinations. Continental is a member of Star Alliance, which overall offers more than 21,200 daily flights to 1,172 airports in 181 countries through its 28 member airlines. Continental has hubs serving Cleveland, Guam, Houston and New York, and together with its regional partners carries approximately 63 million passengers per year.

United Continental Holdings, Inc., became the holding company for both United and Continental upon close of the merger transaction. The two airlines will operate separately as they begin to integrate key customer services, marketing activities and airport processes. For more company information, go to continental.com and follow on Twitter and Facebook.

Source: Continental Airlines

United Continental Holdings ended speculation regarding whether United Airlines would retain its Economy Plus section following its merger with Continental Airlines last year, announcing Thursday that it intends to introduce the product into Continental aircraft beginning next year.

"Our customers value Economy Plus and the additional personal space that it provides," said UCH Chief Revenue Officer Jim Compton. "Customers who sit in Economy Plus are significantly more satisfied with their travel experience."

United introduced Economy Plus in 1999, offering up to five in. of additional pitch in the forward section of the carrier's economy class section. Customers with elite status in UA's Mileage Plus and CO's OnePass frequent-flyer programs may confirm seat assignments in Economy Plus when available. Customers may also purchase seat assignments in Economy Plus.

UA offers Economy Plus on all 359 mainline aircraft and more 150 large regional jets operated by codeshare partners. UCH said that when the multi-year conversion program is complete, Economy Plus will be offered on more than 700 mainline aircraft.

Delta Air Lines recently announced it will introduce a roomier section of economy called Economy Comfort, but only on its international long-haul fleet.

Source: ATW

Delta Air Lines (DAL) initiated the increase Monday on its premier class and last-minute fares, with increases up to $120 for a round-trip ticket. Other large network airlines subsequently matched it by raising prices on first-class, business-class and seven-day advance-purchase tickets that can cost as much as $900 for a domestic round trip.

After initially matching Delta's move, US Airways (LCC)changed its mind and canceled the increase Wednesday. Others — Delta, American Airlines (AMR),United Airlines(UAL) and Continental Airlines — followed suit, according to Rick Seaney, CEO of FareCompare.com, which closely monitors fares.

"I thought (Delta's hike) was overzealous," he says. "They're probing customers. They're also probing the appetites of other airlines. I guarantee you we'll see more probing in the coming days."

Airlines closely monitor each other's fares and frequently match any price movements, lest they lose sales to a cheaper competitor. Their attempts to raise fares often fail if competitors don't match them.

With the economy improving and corporate travel departments enlarging their budgets, airlines are emboldened to charge higher fares even as they keep their seating capacity in check.

The network airlines' most recent attempt to raise business travel fares was their second in as many weeks. They've also raised fares more broadly — affecting most of their seats and leisure travelers — five times since December.

But the airlines' failure this week may be a sign of the tentative pace of the recovery of business travel, which sank along with the economy in 2008.

As airlines raised fares for most of their routes, Southwest Airlines (LUV) didn't match in two of the rounds, Seaney notes.

"If Southwest doesn't participate," Seaney says, "(other airlines) tend to tiptoe around those (routes) to make sure they're at equilibrium with Southwest."

Airlines argue that rising fuel prices dictate higher fares.

Jamie Baker, a JPMorgan Chase airline analyst, told the Associated Press that if fares don't rise further, airlines will need lower fuel prices or will have to cut flights and seating capacity to boost their earnings.

Source: USA Today